High chair construction and parts therefor or the like



1964 w. J. POLLINGTON 3,132,895

HIGH CHAIR CONSTRUCTION AND PARTS THEREFOR OR THE LIKE Filed Aug. 1,1961 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTCR WARREN J. POLLINGTON ATTORNEYS y 12, 1964w. J. POLLINGTON 3,132,895

HIGH CHAIR CONSTRUCTION AND PARTS THEREFOR OR THE LIKE Filed Aug. 1,1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR WARREN J. POLLINGTON zs aam wz ATTORNEYSUnited States Patent 3,132,895 HIGH CIIAHI C(INSTRUC'IIGN AND FAR'IE'IFEREFGR QR THE LIKE Warren J. Pollington, Cincinnati, @hio (2%892Mapieridge St, Sonthfieid, Mich.)

Filed Aug. 1, 1961, Ser. No. 128,413 I1 tllaims. (Cl. 29'7-=-I34) Thisinvention relates to an improved childs high chair construction andparts therefor which have multiple uses.

In particular, one embodiment of this invention comprisesa framestructure having a seat structure detachably secured thereto whereby theseat structure and frame structure cooperate together to form aconventional high chair or the like.

However, the seat structure of this invention is so constructed andarranged, that the same is adapted to be detached from the framestructure and utilized for different purposes.

For example, the seat structure of this invention can be removed fromthe frame structure and subsequently be secured to an automobile seat orthe like by a pair of hook-like members carried by the seat structurewhereby 'the seat structure of this invention can be utilized as achilds car seat or the like.

In addition, the seat structure of this invention is so constructed andarranged, that the same is adapted to be removed from the framestructure and subsequently attached to a conventional table or the likein a unique manner whereby the seat stiucture is suspended from thetable so that a child can be properly seated relative to a table of anydesired height without utilizing the frame structure of the high chairconstruction.

Therefore, it can be seen that the high chair construction of thisinvention has multiple uses heretofore unattainable by prior-known highchair constructions.

In one embodiment of this invention the seat structure comprises .abucket-like seat member having a pair of opposed sides, a back and abottom integrally -inter connected together and suitably reinforced.Such seat structure is adapted to be detachably secured to the framemeans of the high chair construction whereby the frame means supportsthe seat structure above a supporting surface at a desired height toform a conventionalhigh chair construction.

A pair of hook-like members are interconnected to the sides of thebucket-like seat member and are adapted to be telescoped in an'out-of-the-way position and folded against the back of the seat memberso that the same are out of the way when not being utilized. However,when the seat structure is detached from the frame structure, thehook-like members can be untelescoped from the sides of the seat memberand folded to their hooking position so that the seat structure can besuspended over the back of an automobile seat or the like to provide theaforementioned childs car seat.

In addition, a pair of brace means or members respectively extendoutwardly from the sides of the seat member and are adapted to carry aserving tray or the like to support dishes of food and the like in theconventional manner for the high chair construction, the tray beingdetachably secured to the side brace means by a novel latching means ofthis invention.

The side brace members are adapted to cooperate with a bottom bracemember extending outwardly from the bottom of the seat member to definea channel there between which is adapted to receive a projecting edge ofa table or the like so that the seat structure can be interconnected tothe table and supported by the brace members independent of the framestructure of the high chair construction.

In this manner, only the seat structure of the high chair nected toconventional tables and the like so that the child will be properlysupported relative to the serving structure of the table withoutrequiring bulky frame means for supporting the seat structure asprovidedby conventional high chair constructions.

Therefore, it can be seen that the high chair construction of thisinvention can be normally utilized around the home in the conventionalmanner and when it is desired to take a trip or the like with the child,the seat structure can be removed from the frame structure and utilizedas a car seat while traveling on the road. Thereafter, when it isdesired to enter a restaurant or the like, the seat structure can beremoved from the automobile and taken into the restaurant and attachedto a conventional table in a manner hereinafter described so that theseat structure will provide proper seating means for the child withoutrequiring use of the bulky frame structure of the high chairconstruction.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improvedhigh chair construction.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved high chairconstruction which has a seat structure detachably secured to a framestructure.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved seatstructure for a high chair construction or the like which has multipleuses.

Another object of this invention is to provide a seat structure for ahigh chair construction or the like which is adapted to be removed fromthe frame structure of a high chair construction and utilized as achilds car seat or the like.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved seatstructure for a high chair construction or the like which is adapted tobe removed from the frame structure of a high chair construction and bedetachably secured to a conventional table or the like.

Another object of this invention is to provide improved latching meansfor attaching a tray or the like to a high chair construction or thelike.

Other objects, uses and advantages of this invention are apparent from areading of this description which proconstruction illustrated in FIGURE1.

FIGURE 3 is a rear view of the seat structure of the high chairconstruction of FIGURE '1 and illustrates the hooking members thereofdisposed in their out-of-the-way position.

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the tray for the high chairconstruction of this invention and illustrates the latching meansthereof. 7

FIGURE 5 is a view similar to FIGURE 4 and illustrates the latchingmeans in its unlocked position with the side of the tray shown inphantom.

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken on line 6-6 ofFIGURE 4.

FIGURE 7 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 7--7 of FIGURE 4.

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary side view illustrating the method of attachingthe seat structure of the high chair construction of FIGURE 1 to asupporting table or the like.

FIGURE 9 is a View similar to FIGURE 8 illustrating another embodimentof this, invention.

While the various features of this invention are hereinafter describedas being particularly adaptable for high chair constructions or thelike, it is to be understood that the various features of this inventioncan be utilized with other constructions, as desired.

Therefore, this invention is not to be limited to only the embodimentsthereof illustrated in the drawings, because the drawings are merelyutilized to illustrate one of the wide variety of uses of thisinvention.

Referring now to FIGURES 1 and 2, an improved high chair construction ofthis invention is generally indicated by the reference numeral andcomprises a seat structure 12 detachably secured to a frame structure14.

While the seat structure 12 can be formed in any suitable manner, theembodiment of the seat structure 12 comprises a bucket-like seat member16 having a back portion 18, a pair of opposed sides 28 and a bottom 22,the seat member 16 comprising moldable plastic or the like and having acurled flange 24 extending about the free edges of the sides 20 and back16, in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 2, and a downwardly extendingflange 26 projecting below the bottom 22 thereof.

A U-shaped, tubular support member 28 is disposed underneath the flanges24 and 26 of the seat member 16 and is secured thereto in any desiredmanner whereby the legs 30 of the tubular support member 28 extend alongthe straight portions of the curled flange 24 and the cross member 32thereof extends under the bottom flange 26.

A pair of tubular side brace members 34 project through suitableapertures in the curled flange 24 of the seat member 16 and areappropriately interconnected to the upper ends of the legs 38 of theU-shaped support member 28 in the manner illustrated in the drawingswhereby the side brace members 34 project outwardly from the sides 28 ofthe seat structure 12.

If desired, the openings provided in the curled flange 24 of the seatmember 16 which receive the side braces 34 can be covered by suitablecowl-like members 36.

The side brace members 34 are adapted to carry a tray 38 for receivingfood dishes and the like in a conventional manner, the tray 38 beingdetachably secured to the side braces 34 in a unique manner hereinafterdescribed.

A bottom, tubular brace member 48 projects through a suitable aperturein the bottom flange 26 and is interconnected to the medial portion ofthe cross member 32 of the U-shaped support member 28 in the mannerillustrated, the bottom brace member 40 having a cushioned end 42disposed below cushioning means 44 carried'hy the side brace members 34whereby a channel means 46 is defined between the cushioning means 42and 44 of the brace members 40 and 34 in the manner illustrated inFIGURE 2 for a purpose hereinafter described.

The seat structure 12 is adapted to be interconnected to the framestructure 14 to form a substantially conventional high chairconstruction 18 in the following manner.

In particular, the frame structure 14 comprises a plurality of legs 48interconnected together by horizontally disposed frame members 50, therear legs 48 having upwardly extending portions 52 joined together by arear portion 54 adapted to be disposed under the curled flange 24 of theback 18 of the seat member 16 in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 2.

The front horizontal member of the frame structure 14 or the crossmember 32 of the U-shaped support member 28 of the seat structure 12carries a resilient bumper 56 so that the seat structure 12 rests onsuch bumper 56 when the seat structure 12 is disposed on the frame means14 in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 2.

Therefore, it can be seen that the seat structure 12 can be readilycarried by the frame structure 14 by having the upper end of the flange24 resting around the end 54 of the frame means 14and the cross member32 of the U-shaped support member 28 resting on the front frame member50 in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 2.

The seat structure 12 is adapted to be detachably secured to the framestructure 14 by a plurality of latching members 58 carried by the framemeans 14.

In particular, each latching member 58 has a hookshaped portion 60pivotally mounted to a horizontal frame member 50 at the point 62whereby the hookshaped end 60 is adapted to be disposed around a pin 64,FIGURE 3, projecting outwardly from the legs 30 of the U-shaped supportmember 28 when the handle 66 of the latch member is moved in the properdirection. When it is desired to detach the seat structure 12 from theframe structure 14, the handles 66 of the latch members 58 are moved inthe opposite directions whereby the hook-shaped ends 60 thereof aredetached from the pins 64 so that the seat structure 12 can be lifteddirectly from the frame means 14.

The tray 38 is adapted to be detachably secured to the side bracemembers 34 of the seat structure 12 in the manner illustrated in FIGURES4-7.

In particular, the tray 38 has a pair of opposed sides 68 adapted to bedisposed on the outside of the side brace members 34 in the mannerillustrated, each side 68 of the tray 38 carrying a wire or rod 70 onthe inside surface thereof and secured thereto by a plurality of rivets'72 or the like. Each rod 70 has a medial portion 74 bent in the mannerillustrated in FIGURE 6 so as to be horizontally disposed with respectto its respective side brace member 34 and projecting toward the samewhen the tray 38 is held in the position illustrated in the drawing.

Each side brace member 34 carries a latching member 76 which ispivotally secured thereto by a pivot pin 78, each latching member '7 6having a projection 80 provided with a slot 82 which faces verticallyupwardly when the latch member '76 is pivoted to the positionillustrated in FIGURE 5.

When the latch members 76 are pivoted to the position illustrated inFIGURE 5, the tray 38 can be lowered vertically downwardly onto the sidebrace members 34 whereby the inwardly projecting portions 74 of the rods79 thereof enter the slots 82 of the latch members 76 in the mannerillustrated in FIGURE 5.

Thereafter, the latch members 76 are pivoted to the position illustratedin FIGURE 4 whereby the hookshaped ends 84 of the latch members 76 aredisposed over the medial portion 74 of the rods 70 to hold the tray 38in its proper position on the side brace members 34.

When it is desired to detach the tray 38 from the side brace members 34of the seat structure 12, the handle portions 86 of the latch members76, which project outwardly beyond the tray 38, are pushed verticallydownwardly to pivot the latch members 76 back to the positionillustrated in FIGURE 5 whereby the tray 38 can be lifted verticallyupwardly from the seat structure 12 and be readily removed therefrom.

As previously mentioned, the seat structure 12 is adapted to be detachedfrom the frame structure 14 by the latch members 58 whereby the seatstructure 12 can be utilized as a childs car seat.

In particular, a pair of hook-like members 88, as illustrated in FIGURES2 and 3, have flexible portions 90 thereof passing through suitableapertures in lugs 92 interconnected to the undersurface of the curledflange 24 of the seat member 16, the free ends of the flexible portions20 being received through support members 94 disposed at the'opened endsof the legs 30 of the Ushaped support structure 28 of the seat member16. The free ends of the flexible portions 98 of the hook-shaped members88 are interconnected to plungers or pistons 96 which are telescopicallydisposed in the legs 30 of the tubular U-shaped member 28.

In this manner, the hook-shaped members 88 can he pulled outwardly tothe position illustrated in FIGURE 2 whereby the piston ends 96 of thehook-shaped members 88 abut against the fixed members 94 of the tubularstructure 28 so that the hook-shaped members 88 cannot be pulled out ofthe legs 30 of the U-shaped member 28.

With the hook-shaped members 88 in this position, the seat structure 12is adapted to be hooked over the back of a car seat so that the seatstructure 12 can provide a childs car seat in a conventional manner.

When it is no longer desired to use the hook-shaped members 88, the sameare pushed downwardly relative to the seat member 16 whereby the ends 96of the hookshaped members 98 are telescoped into the legs 30 of theU-shaped member 28 to the position illustrated in FIG-. URE 3 wherebythe hook-shaped members 88 can then be folded back in an out-of-the-wayposition behind the curled flange 24 of the seat structure 12.

Therefore, it can be seen that the seat structure 12 of this inventionis readily adapted to form a childs car seat when desired.

As previously set forth, the seat structure 12 of this invention isreadily adapted to be attached to a conventional table and the likewithout utilizing the frame structure 14.

In particular, as illustrated in FIGURE 8, the seat structure 12 isadapted to be interconnected to the horizontal member 98 of a table 100or the like by having the side braces 34 thereof disposed over the topsurface of the table 100 and the lower or bottom brace member 40 thereofdisposed in abutting relation with the undersurface of the table 100 asillustrated.

Thus, it can be seen that the cushioning means 44 and 42 of the bracemembers 34 and 40 respectively abut the opposed surfaces of thehorizontal member 98 of the table 100 to fully suspend the seatstructure 12 thereon so that the child can be readily seated in thesuspended seat structure 12 and can utilize the horizontal member 98 ofthe table 100 as a food serving surface.

However, it is to be understood that the tray 38 could still beinterconnected to the side braces 34 in the manner previously describedwhen the seat structure 12 is utilized with the table 100.

Another embodiment of this invention is illustrated in FIGURE 9 and likeparts are designated by like reference numerals followed by thereference letter a.

In particular, the seat structure 12a illustrated in FIG- URE 9 issubstantially identical to the seat structure 12 illustrated in FIGURE 8except that the side braces 34a thereof carry a plurality of cushioningmeans 44a which respectively abut the upper surface of the horizontalmember 98 of the table 100 and the lower or bottom brace member 40a ofthe seat structure 12a carries an adjustable cushioning means 42a whichabuts the lower surface of the horizontal member 98 of the table 100.

In this manner, the lower cushioning means 42a of the seat structure 12acan be adjusted to vary the distance between the cooperating cushioningmeans 44a and 34a whereby the seat structure 12a can be utilized withtables of different thicknesses.

In particular, the bottom brace member 40a has an end 102 provided witha threaded aperture therethrough. A threaded member 104 is disposed inthreaded engagement with the threaded aperture so that upon turning thehandle 106 thereof the end 42a can be moved relative to the end 192 ofthe bottom brace member 40a to the desired position.

Therefore, it can be seen that an improved high chair construction hasbeen provided by this invention which has a seat structure that is notonly adapted to perform the conventional high chair functions, but isalso adapted to be utilized as a childs car seat and be readilyattachable to a conventional table or the like without utilizing theframe means of the high chair construction.

Further, this invention provides an improved latch means for detachablysecuring a serving tray to the seat structure or the like.

While preferred forms of this invention have been disclosed as requiredby the patent statute, it is to be understood that other forms may beused and fall within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A multi-purpose chair comprising in combination, a frame means, aseat structure detachably secured to said frame means whereby said framemeans is adapted to support said seat structure above a supportingsurface, said seat structure having a pair of opposed sides and abottom, a pair of side brace members extending from said sides, and anadjustable bottom brace member extending upwardly from the center of theforward edge of said bottom intermediate to and cooperating with saidside brace members to define a channel therebetween, said channel beingadapted to receive a horizontally disposed member therebetween wherebysaid seat structure is adapted to be supported on said horizontallydisposed member by said brace members when said seat structure isdetached from said frame means.

2. A combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein a tray is detachablysecured to said side brace members.

3. A combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein a pair of hook-likemembers are carried by said seat structure to hang said seat structureto a supporting means when said seat structure is detached from saidframe means.

4. A combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said brace meansconnected to said bottom has an adjustable end abutting said supportstructure.

5. A combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said brace means arerespectively interconnected to a U-shaped support member carried by saidseat structure.

6. A multi-purpose chair as set forth in claim 1 wherein, said sidesrespectively carry tubular members, said tubular members respectivelyand telescopically Ireceiving piston ends of a pair of hook-like memberswhereby said hook-like members can be telescoped to an out-of-the wayposition and be moved toa hooking position relative to said seatstructure.

7. A combination as set forth in claim 6 wherein said hook-like membersare rotatably mounted in said tubular members.

8. In combination, a seat structure having a tray carrying means, alatch member carried by said means and pivotally mounted thereto, saidlatch member having a slot therein which faces vertically upwardly whenin the unlocked position thereof and which faces sideways when in thelocked position thereof, and a tray having a horizontally disposed pinmeans which is adapted to be received in said slot of said latch memberwhen said tray is placed vertically downwardly on said tray carryingmeans and said latch member is in the unlocked position, said latchmember moving to the locking position thereof when said tray is movedvertically downwardly.

9. A combination as set forth in claim 8 wherein said latch member has ahandle for readily moving said latch member between its locking andunlocking positions.

10. A seat structure having a pair of opposed sides and a bottom, saidsides respectively having a pair of side braces extending outwardlytherefrom, said bottom having a bottom brace extending outwardlytherefrom and cooperating with said side braces to define a channeltherebetween, and said side braces and bottom brace respectivelycarrying cushioning means.

11. A combination as set forth in claim 10 wherein said cushioning meansof said bottom brace is adjustable relative to said bottom brace.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,064,839 Kroll et al. Dec. 22, 1936 2,451,667 Ducey Oct. 19, 19482,550,352 Hodgson et al. Apr. 24, 1951 2,553,122 Weatherson May 15, 19512,560,708 Titus July 17, 1951 2,605,819 Tourneau Aug. 5, 1952 2,707,987Gibson May 10, 1955 2,731,072 Post Jan. 17', 1956 2,764,228 DonohueSept. 25, 1956 2,779,389 Pearl Jan. 29, 1957 2,930,430 Bloom Mar. 29,1960

1. A MULTI-PURPOSE CHAIR COMPRISING IN COMBINATION, A FRAME MEANS, ASEAT STRUCTURE DETACHABLY SECURED TO SAID FRAME MEANS WHEREBY SAID FRAMEMEANS IS ADAPTED TO SUPPORT SAID SEAT STRUCTURE ABOVE A SUPPORTINGSURFACE, SAID SEAT STRUCTURE HAVING A PAIR OF OPPOSED SIDES AND ABOTTOM, A PAIR OF SIDE BRACE MEMBERS EXTENDING FROM SAID SIDES, AND ANADJUSTABLE BOTTOM BRACE MEMBER EXTENDING UPWARDLY FROM THE CENTER OF THEFORWARD EDGE OF SAID BOTTOM INTERMEDIATE TO AND COOPERATING WITH SAIDSIDE BRACE MEMBERS TO DEFINE A CHANNEL THEREBETWEEN, SAID CHANNEL BEINGADAPTED TO RECEIVE A HORIZONTALLY DISPOSED MEMBER THEREBETWEEN WHEREBYSAID SEAT STRUCTURE IS ADAPTED TO BE SUPPORTED ON SAID HORIZONTALLYDISPOSED MEMBER BY SAID BRACE MEMBERS WHEN SAID SEAT STRUCTURE ISDETACHED FROM SAID FRAME MEANS.